Hacking Gateway SPI-READ FAIL Solution?

[jonthedit]

I just tested a spare Gateway cart I have had in possession and everything works except in any game the "SAVE DATA CORRUPTED, OVERWRITTING" pops up and it never finishs, it fails.
I looked into it and finally ran a diagnostic test.
The issue is it is failing the SPI-READ test.
It passes the other tests.
Anything I can do or do I need to get a replacement cart?

 

[chikoo_69]

I've got the same problem, your only solution is to install all your games as .cia with devmenu

 

[plasma]

@gamesquest1

I am sure he fixed this issue somehow.

 

[AlbertoSONIC]

You have to use card2-only games... @SnailFace 's card1to2 homebrew is able to convert every .3ds game to card2 type, so that you can play it even with a Spi failure

 

[The Real Jdbye]

I've read before that it's due to an issue with one of the chips not making proper contact with the board, and that putting a few strips of tape on top of the chips so that the cart fits really snugly in the slot and it presses down on the chip slightly can get rid of the issue, at least temporarily. It's worth a try, just don't add too much and jam it in there so it gets stuck.
It might be a bit late to get a replacement from the seller by now, otherwise that would be the best course of action, since you rarely want to be stuck with a faulty cart if you can get it replaced. But converting all games to card2 works in a pinch.

 

[migles]

I've read before that it's due to an issue with one of the chips not making proper contact with the board, and that putting a few strips of tape on top of the chips so that the cart fits really snugly in the slot and it presses down on the chip slightly can get rid of the issue, at least temporarily. It's worth a try, just don't add too much and jam it in there so it gets stuck.
It might be a bit late to get a replacement from the seller by now, otherwise that would be the best course of action, since you rarely want to be stuck with a faulty cart if you can get it replaced. But converting all games to card2 works in a pinch.

i also read someone re-solder or rebailled the chips... and fixed it.. i think that person even offered the service.. but can't remember much more...

 

[gamesquest1]

ofc if the card is in warranty send it back and get a replacement, if not you can try this, and if all else fails just use cia/card2 games

 

[jonthedit]

You have to use card2-only games... @SnailFace 's card1to2 homebrew is able to convert every .3ds game to card2 type, so that you can play it even with a Spi failure

I might go this route if the seller refuses to help [it has been 2 months, should have tested]

 

[milerwan]

Have you tried to update the card by pressing R trigger before entering Gateway menu ?

 

[jonthedit]

Have you tried to update the card by pressing R trigger before entering Gateway menu ?

I will give it another try.
How do I perform SPI reset? I have only found diagnostics in the launcher and the GW_testrom.3ds file no longer works with GATEWAY 3.3 for whatever reason.

You have to use card2-only games... @SnailFace 's card1to2 homebrew is able to convert every .3ds game to card2 type, so that you can play it even with a Spi failure

Where is the thread? I cannot find it

 

[AlbertoSONIC]

I will give it another try.
How do I perform SPI reset? I have only found diagnostics in the launcher and the GW_testrom.3ds file no longer works with GATEWAY 3.3 for whatever reason.


Where is the thread? I cannot find it

https://gbatemp.net/threads/128-and-256-mb-games-with-nand-based-save.368001/page-2#post-5035393

 

[jonthedit]

https://gbatemp.net/threads/128-and-256-mb-games-with-nand-based-save.368001/page-2#post-5035393

Thanks!
Is there a compatibility list for games that do NOT work in CARD2 converted mode?

 

[AlbertoSONIC]

Thanks!
Is there a compatibility list for games that do NOT work in CARD2 converted mode?

All the games I tried work in card2 mode (yep, I have an SPI failure. I bought a second-hand GW, without warranty... I asked here on gbatemp and @Snailface kindly made this homebrew )

 

[jonthedit]

All the games I tried work in card2 mode (yep, I have an SPI failure. I bought a second-hand GW, without warranty... I asked here on gbatemp and @Snailface kindly made this homebrew )

Just tried Starfox 64 3D, same issue :|
Smash works though!
Same problem with Ocarina of Time 3D...

Though now it says "An error has occured" after it tries to delete the save data.

 

[AlbertoSONIC]

Just tried Starfox 64 3D, same issue :|
Smash works though!
Same problem with Ocarina of Time 3D...

Though now it says "An error has occured" after it tries to delete the save data.

Redownload the rom, try again to convert it to card2 and test it

 

[jonthedit]

Redownload the rom, try again to convert it to card2 and test it

I am beginning to think this gateway has a complete failure :|
Sm4sh now says it cannot find an SD/Extra data [the main 3DS SD]
Awakening does not load at all [works on my other gateway]

 

[AlbertoSONIC]

I am beginning to think this gateway has a complete failure :|
Sm4sh now says it cannot find an SD/Extra data [the main 3DS SD]
Awakening does not load at all [works on my other gateway]

If you have some time, download PilotWings Resort, convert it to card2 and try it. I'm 100% sure it works on my GW with spi failure!

 

[gamesquest1]

remember you cant trim the game if you convert to card2 (inb4 "well you can if...", yeah while you *can*, almost all (if not all) of the current trimming tools will always trim the rom completely and leave no headroom to house the save in, so without a bunch of manual tweaking on a per rom basis trimming is out of the window for card2 converted games)

 

[jonthedit]

remember you cant trim the game if you convert to card2 (inb4 "well you can if...", yeah while you *can*, almost all (if not all) of the current trimming tools will always trim the rom completely and leave no headroom to house the save in, so without a bunch of manual tweaking on a per rom basis trimming is out of the window for card2 converted games)

Good point, I think all of the 3DS roms I had were trimmed except for SM4SH that I redownloaded, though now that even fails to work. Giving Pilotwings a try - 128MB untrimmed correct?

 

[gamesquest1]

Good point, I think all of the 3DS roms I had were trimmed except for SM4SH that I redownloaded, though now that even fails to work. Giving Pilotwings a try - 128MB untrimmed correct?

yeah, you can also "untrim" via 3dsexplorer, but iirc the card1to2 tool was a bit hit & miss, some work some don't....PS did you try doing what i showed in the SPI quick fix video, would save you having to try convert games to card2....if all else fails i would say stick to cia games for better compatibility